Chapter 584

Chapter 584
The sitting room was quiet in that late-afternoon way that made everything feel slower than it actually was. Jess had settled into the armchair near the window again, a book open in her hands and a cup of tea resting within reach.
She wasn’t really reading.
Her eyes moved across the page, but her thoughts didn’t stay long enough to follow the story. Every now and then, her fingers drifted absently to her stomach, pressing lightly as if checking something only she could feel.
Then—
A shift.
Subtle at first.
Then clearer.
Jess stilled.
Her hand pressed more firmly against her belly, her brows drawing together—not in pain, but in recognition.
“…You’re awake,” she murmured under her breath.
Another movement answered her.
Stronger.
Jess exhaled slowly, something unreadable passing through her expression.
Before she could think too much about it—
The doorbell rang.
Sharp.
Interrupting.
Jess blinked, pulled back into the present.
“I’m coming,” she called out, already pushing herself up from the chair.
She set the book aside, smoothed her dress out of habit, and walked toward the door, her hand still resting lightly over her stomach.
Another small shift.
Jess frowned faintly.
“…Now?” she muttered.
She opened the door.
And froze.
Kairos stood there.
Composed, impossibly put together, that quiet confidence wrapped around him like it belonged there. In his hand, a bouquet of flowers, carefully chosen, not excessive but unmistakably deliberate.
They stared at each other.
A beat.
Two.
“Kairos,” Jess said.
It wasn’t warm.
It wasn’t cold.
It was… controlled.
“Jess,” he replied just as evenly.
He extended the bouquet toward her.
“For you.”
Jess looked at it.
Then at him.
Then back at the flowers.
She took them.
Not smiling.
“…You’re persistent,” she said.
“I am,” Kairos answered without apology.
Jess stepped aside.
“Come in.”
He entered without hesitation.
She closed the door behind him.
And just like that—
The air shifted.
Not visibly.
But noticeably.
The space felt smaller.
More aware.
They moved into the sitting room.
Jess gestured toward the chair.
“Sit.”
Kairos did.
Jess didn’t sit immediately.
She stood there for a moment longer than necessary, holding the bouquet like she hadn’t decided yet whether it belonged in her house.
Then she placed it down.
Turned.
And sat across from him.
Silence.
Not awkward.
Not exactly.
But heavy.
Both of them looking.
Measuring.
Jess crossed her arms slightly.
“You’re early.”
Kairos leaned back just a fraction.
“I said I would come.”
“I didn’t say you should.”
A faint smile touched his mouth.
“You didn’t say I shouldn’t.”
Jess huffed quietly.
Unamused.
Then—
It happened again.
Stronger this time.
Jess froze mid-breath.
Her hand moved instantly to her stomach.
Not subtle.
Not controlled.
Instinct.
Kairos noticed.
Of course he did.
His posture shifted almost imperceptibly.
His gaze dropped.
Focused.
Sharp.
Jess inhaled slowly.
Then looked up at him.
Something different in her expression now.
Less defensive.
More… aware.
“…They know you’re here,” she said.
No sarcasm.
No teasing.
Just—
Truth.
Kairos didn’t answer immediately.
His eyes remained on her hand, on the place beneath it.
Something in his expression changed.
Not dramatic.
But unmistakable.
“…Of course they do,” he said quietly.
Jess swallowed.
Her fingers pressed slightly into the fabric of her dress.
“They’ve been calm all day,” she added, almost like she was explaining something she didn’t fully understand herself.
Another shift.
Sharper.
Jess let out a small breath.
“…They’re not calm now.”
Kairos leaned forward slightly.
Not invading.
But closer.
Drawn.
Jess looked at him.
Really looked this time.
Not the man from the market.
Not the stranger at her door.
But—
The father.
Kairos’s gaze remained on her for a moment longer, as if he could still feel the movement beneath her hand.
Then, slowly, he leaned back again.
Measured.
Composed.
“Did you receive what I sent?” he asked.
Jess didn’t even hesitate.
“I did.”
A beat.
“I broke it.”
Kairos blinked.
Once.
For the first time since he had entered the house, something in his composure slipped—not dramatically, but enough
“…You what.”
Jess shrugged, deliberately nonchalant, like she was talking about something insignificant.
“I broke them. All of it. The vase, the jewelry, the ridiculous decorative box—whatever that was supposed to be.”
She tilted her head slightly.
“They didn’t survive.”
Kairos stared at her.
There was a very real moment where he looked like he might reconsider every decision that had led him to this door.
Then he inhaled slowly.
Straightened.
Recovered.
“…I see.”
Jess watched him.
Waiting.
Almost daring him to react.
He didn’t.
Not in the way she expected.
“Have you thought about my offer?” he asked instead.
Jess raised a brow.
“Didn’t your servant tell you?”
Kairos’s expression shifted slightly.
“No.”
Jess leaned back.
“Of course she didn’t.”
A faint, almost amused breath left her.
“Looks like Sentra isn’t a gossiper.”
Kairos’s gaze sharpened.
“I did not send her to spy on you.”
Jess shrugged.
“You still sent her.”
“I sent her,” Kairos said calmly, “to take care of you.”
A pause.
Then, more deliberately—
“And our children.”
Jess froze.
Not visibly at first.
But enough.
Her fingers tightened slightly against her stomach.
The words settled.
Not as a concept.
As a claim.
Kairos watched her carefully.
Then asked again—
“Have you thought about it?”
Jess lifted her gaze back to him.
This time, there was no deflection.
No sarcasm.
Just—
Decision.
“…I’ll go,” she said.
Kairos didn’t move.
But something in his eyes lit—sharp, immediate, undeniable.
Jess continued before he could speak.
“Don’t misunderstand.”
Her voice hardened again.
“This isn’t for you.”
A beat.
“It’s for them.”
Her hand pressed lightly against her stomach again.
“They deserve to grow up with both parents.”
Another pause.
“And in a place that can actually… handle what they are.”
Kairos held her gaze.
Didn’t interrupt.
Didn’t argue.
Jess leaned back slightly, folding her arms again
“I’m not forgiving you.”
A beat 
"’Im not forgetting what was done to me.”
Her eyes didn’t waver.
“And I will never love you.”
Silence.
Kairos nodded once.
“That’s good enough.”
Jess blinked.
Not expecting that.
Kairos stood.
Composed again.
He held her gaze for a moment longer, as if confirming that she meant every word she had just said.
Then he inclined his head slightly.
“I am thankful,” he said, calm and sincere in a way that didn’t try to soften anything. “We will leave in two days.”
Jess didn’t react.
“I will have everything prepared,” he continued. “The carriage, the escort, accommodations for you—everything you will need.”
“Of course you will,” Jess replied.
Kairos stepped back.
Turned.
Walked toward the door without hesitation, like the decision had already settled into place and there was nothing left to negotiate.
He opened it.
Paused just slightly—
Not looking back.
Then left.
The door closed behind him with a quiet, final sound.
Silence settled over the house.
Jess didn’t move at first.
She stayed where she was, staring at the door, her hand still resting lightly against her stomach.
Another small shift answered her.
She exhaled slowly.
“…Of course you’re calm now,” she muttered.
A sound broke the quiet.
Something small.
Wood against tile.
Jess turned her head.
The kitchen doorway.
Three figures.
Very poorly hidden.
Sentra stood closest, posture rigid but unmistakably caught.
Behind her—Lys.
Beside her—Helena.
All three of them frozen mid-obvious eavesdropping.
Jess stared.
Long.
Flat.
“…What.”
In perfect, immediate coordination—
All three turned away.
Walked back into the kitchen.
Like nothing had happened.
“Did you add salt to that?” Helena said casually.
“I think it needs more,” Lys replied, equally composed.
Sentra stood there, pretending to examine absolutely nothing.
Jess didn’t move.
“…I can still see you.”
No response.
She pushed herself up and walked toward them slowly, arms crossing.
“I know you heard everything.”
Still nothing.
Helena picked up a cup.
Lys adjusted something that didn’t need adjusting.
Sentra looked at the wall like it held answers.
Jess stopped at the doorway.
“…You are all terrible.”
Helena sighed.
Gave up first.
Turned around.
“Yes,” she said simply. “We heard.”
Lys followed, far less apologetic.
Sentra lowered her head slightly, but didn’t deny it either.
Jess narrowed her eyes.
“You were listening.”
“Yes.”
“On purpose.”
“Yes.”
Jess blinked once.
“…At least you’re honest.”
Helena stepped forward slightly.
Her expression shifted—less amused now, more grounded.
“You made the right decision.”
Jess scoffed immediately.
“I made a necessary decision.”
“Call it whatever you want,” Helena replied calmly. “It’s still the right one."
Jess looked away.
Her jaw tightening.
“I’m not doing this for him.”
“We know.”
“I’m not forgiving him.”
“We know.”
“I’m not—”
“Jess,” Lys cut in gently.
Jess stopped.
Lys looked at her steadily.
“You’re going because of them.”
A glance.
To her stomach.
Jess’s hand moved there again.
Instinct.
“…Yes.”
Helena nodded once.
“That’s enough.”
Jess exhaled.
Long.
Tired.
Annoyed.
Everything at once.
“…Two days,” she muttered.
Behind her—
Sentra finally spoke, quiet but certain.
“We will be ready, my lady.”
Jess closed her eyes briefly.
“…You already were.”